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<br />City of Chicago Inlet Control Valve <br /> <br />PROJECT BACKGROUND <br /> <br />In August of 1997, the City of Chicago experienced flooding and sewer back-up <br />damage during a torrential rainstorm. The flood caused hardship and property loss for <br />over 35,000 City residents. Because of the population density many basements are <br />utilized as garden apartments, and many of the affected residences have experienced <br />damages on a recurring basis. In addition to property loss, four fatalities occurred as a <br />result of the flood disaster. <br /> <br />MITIGATION MEASURES EMPLOYED <br /> <br />The City has been awarded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to install valves <br />that attach to the inlets of the combined storm water and sewer system to restrict the <br />flow of rainwater into the combined system at the peak of a storm. Engineering <br />studies determined that the inlet valves were the most cost effective mitigation <br />measure. The inlet control valves will be located throughout the area based on <br />topography and other engineering criteria. <br /> <br />PROJECT BENEFITS <br /> <br />The result is that the combined system functions at no more than lull capacity. The <br />sewers function as they are intended, and the inlet valves prevent back up of sewage <br />into the residential basements. During peak periods of lull capacity, the excess storm <br />water is temporarily stored in the streets and not contaminated with sewage. <br /> <br />PROJECT COST <br />$14.3 million <br /> <br />FUNDING SOURCE <br />$7,875,000 in HMGP funding (55%) and $6,425,000 (45%) of the local match <br />provided by the City of Chicago. <br />